In Loving Memory of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton » Ryan

Happy Birthday Ryan!

John — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 15:33:41 +0000

Dear Ryan,

Happy Birthday! You would have been 14. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Actually, you and the family. For a family that was so unique and ever-present for me, it’s hard to process that notion of always being there and then put it together with the notion of never being there again. I’m starting to understand what that means though. Whenever there is something special to share with you or someone else in the family, something that I know you would enjoy, you aren’t there.

I was just watching some videos of you and the family vacationing in Alaska. You were such an amazing family! I’m so glad I have those videos because I can re-experience you and remember what you were like.

I love you and miss you. We’re all thinking about you on your birthday.

Love,

Uncle John

Happy Birthday Ryan

John — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:08:44 +0000

I was just thinking about Ryan yesterday. I was thinking what it would have been like if they had not crashed their airplane and we had gone for our weekend away. Ryan would have had a lot of fun with my daughter. He loved my daughter. Ryan would have been 13 today. I was recently at a funeral for Gordon Smith of Santa Cruz. I saw some of Luke’s friends. They had grown to be nearly as tall as I am. I came to more fully realized that Luke and Ryan will be frozen in time. We’ll never see them older than the pictures we have. I imagine Ryan would be a pretty big guy. He had a stocky build.

We miss you and we’re thinking of you on your birthday, Ryan!

Remembering the Beloved Family

John — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:07:03 +0000

It’s been hard to write in the last six months. I really don’t have the words, but I felt like I needed to write something today, given that it will be a year tomorrow since they passed. I’m still processing the reality of what has happened. They were always away on so many trips all the time that it seems like they might still be on a long trip. Intellectually, I know what happened. I’m starting to come to an emotional understanding that they’re not coming back. I was just talking to someone who commented that “their lives are over” and hearing it like that makes it sink in a little more.

They really loved my daughter and I’m glad they had a chance to meet her. It will be hard as my daughter grows up and I would want to share her special moments with them. Ryan in particular loved babies and he loved my daughter. He got to feed her when she was a month old. He commented that she was “sooo cute.”

Today I edited a video they shot on May 29, 2011. It was a day trip they made to Death Valley where they climbed the sand dunes and then tumbled down. It helps me remember what fun people they were. In the video you can hear DeDe saying to David, “Hi my love!” and he responds, “Hi Sweet Pea!” You can discern the love they had for each other by the tone of their voice. You can also see David’s genuine, enthusiastic smile.

To watch the video, you need QuickTime installed. The HD version might take a while to download.

Click here to watch in high definition.
Click here to watch in standard definition.

David can be heard barking like a seal as he loved to do. Luke had found a fire hat and you could see that he was enjoying himself as he tumbled down the dunes. DeDe isn’t in the video because she was shooting, but you can hear her sweet voice. Near the end of the video you can see Ryan run up on David and Luke and it looks like David is pointing out rock formations. Ryan gave his dad a hug from behind. At the very end, DeDe comments, “You can’t go far without a geology lesson.”

Tomorrow will be a hard day. There are no events that I know of and that’s fine with me. I don’t want to plan anything because running the event keeps me from thinking of them. Tomorrow I’ll be in Santa Cruz and I want to think of them.

I think this blog site for my brother’s family should have it’s own special spot, so I’ll register a new URL and migrate the blog. Don’t worry, I’ll put a forwarding link so you can get there from here.

Thanks for letting me share. In writing this, I feel like I got in touch with my feelings and I got to relive memories of them. Please share your comments below.

A random photo of Ryan taking a bath.

A classic quote from David.

Remembering Ryan and a Poem

John — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:26:23 +0000

I got a note from Laura Perron who was out of the country for the bench dedication, but did return to the bench to remember Ryan on his birthday and put a special card up after cleaning their dedicated bench. Ryan and his family of four died in a plane crash in Watsonville on July 7, 2011. Excerpt of the note below.

“I wanted to share this photo with you. In celebrating Ryan’s birthday I made this “card” and we attached a necklace from the Dominican Republic….we knew how he loved his necklaces!

We went to the bench on Friday morning and wiped down the bench and attached the card. Ron and I sat there for about 30 minutes and talked about and remembered Ryan. It was a beautiful sunny day and the ocean was sparkling like a sea of diamonds. Off in a distance the sea lions were making a lot of there “talking” noises. We think of them all so often and miss them so much.”

We miss them too and not a day or night goes by when I don’t think about them. I still remind myself about the tragedy even as I’m dreaming and I immediately wake up hoping that it was all a dream.

A poem by Wayne (Woody) Kenney, David’s SCUBA instructor.

Grey skies reflecting sorrow off wind blown waves.
A Family lost, remembered in the breeze.
Of sunny days below Egypt’s Red Sea.
Glowing sands down Mexico way.
Smiling, happy faces of those Four,
Our hearts will ever endure. Blue skies, fly away.
Loving Life, always adore.

Peace, IMWood

Ryan’s 11th Birthday Today

John — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:21 +0000

By Linda Anderson, Ryan’s grandmother. Ryan passed away with his family in a plane crash on July 7, 2011.

Left, Ryan on the day he was born.

March 2, 2001, found the Houghton family of three heading to the birthing center in Santa Cruz to welcome Ryan David. I remember I was driving from Sacramento and it was 4:30 am and I was hoping I would get there before he made his entry to this world. Well, he arrived just moments before me (think I was parking the car). When I entered the room everyone was beaming and Luke was chattering nonstop about his new brother. Our little man with his green eyes brought joy to our hearts that day and everyday of his life thereafter.

Left, Ryan as Michael Jackson.

In his 10 1/2 years he shared so much, I especially loved the cuddling hugs and sweet I love you messages he always offerred. The many nights we layed in bed me telling him and Luke stories that usually were made up as I went along, and an occassional laugh from them if I dozed off. He was a practical joker and loved playing pranks or tricks and his laughter and sparkle in his eyes always made these moments memorable. He was great at Knock Knock jokes, or some that he just made up, he loved sneaking up and startling me.

I remember when I showed him how to make fried cheese and DeDe thought that was not so healthy, and his reply was “we cooked the fats out of it”! They loved cooking and baking and I loved sharing the time with them! Ryan loved his big brother and shared well with him, oh yeah they had their moments but hands down they were always there for each other. He travelled to many foreign lands and played with children there, whether it was soccer or tag they mixed well. He always stood out with that very blonde hair, those sparkling eyes and that joyful laugh. I am so thankful that I was there when he proudly received his white belt in Kung Fu, he moved so smooth and sure of every move.

Left. Ryan buried in the sand with Luke and the family.

He loved the beach and the Boardwalk, and we shared many hours there playing and riding the rides, then we would go look at our pictures which were always funny! He thought it was really funny when someone (not him) got drenched on the log ride. We shared squid and especially enjoyed the “fried spiders” and Ryan loved clam chowder in a bread bowl. The Christmas that Ryan won the Disney Million Dream at Disneyland was a once in a lifetime experience that he shared with not only he parents and Luke, but his Uncle Mitch, Aunt Cheri, cousins Grant and Bailey and Nana. He was the Honary Grand Marshall of the parade and the entire family led the parade in Walt Disney’s old fire truck. I still see the kids standing in front of a mirror in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse as they talked with and joked with Mickey. We spent one night there and could not believe how many televisions there were, even one in the bathroom mirror. Ryan was blessed with a life full of excitement and travels, and he was a very appreciative and thankful boy. He was a good friend and loved sharing his time and toys with his many close buddies.

His most recent accomplishment was getting certified as a scuba diver in Bonaire just weeks before the plane accident. Yes, the love and precious moments shared with you our Ryan will provide me with the strength and courage I need to continue with my life living much of it in the memories of the special times we shared. Thank you my wonderful young grandson, I am so very proud of you and who you have been in this wonderful world. I will always celebrate March 2nd with you and share with you in my memories of birthdays shared until we again are together one day! I know your day will be celebrated with many family and friends in heaven, and hope you know you are being remembered by many here. Hugs and Love forever, Nana

Back to School

John — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:21:46 +0000

It’s back to school week for Luke and Ryan’s classmates. We have already received many notes from the people that miss them. To the classmates of Luke and Ryan, know that they would have loved to be there at school with you. They didn’t want to leave you. They miss you and are there in with you in spirit. They ask that you always remember them and never forget about them. Picture above left of Luke fencing. Click to see blow-up. (Does anybody have a pic of him at B-40?)

Picture left of Ryan at his school. I’m sure he never thought there would be a memorial placed for him and his brother right where he’s standing. The Native Americans, of which Luke and Ryan were descendants, believe that their spirits will live on as long as they are remembered. Native Americans would keep these memories alive by sitting around the camp fire as they retold the stories of their ancestors. Please submit comments below.

Picture left of Ryan and Luke riding horses in Mexico. They got to do a lot of things and they were happy to be with us. While we don’t have a camp fire to tell stories around, we do have this blog and the ability to submit comments. Please keep their memories alive with your stories.

Going Through Photos

John — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:55:58 +0000

I was just going through some photos tonight and found this one that Laura Perron took on July 1, 2011, in Bonaire. Pictured are Luke, Ryan and David Houghton, respectively. It’s hard to believe that picture was taken less than two months ago.

My wife and I decided to join friends in Tahoe and it was a refreshing break. I’m starting to get more energy back and I can concentrate better in the last few weeks. Taking the weekend off helps too. Still though, it hits me, as it did as we were driving back. It was the realization of what had happened and the overwhelming and profound sense of loss.

At the same time, they would have wanted us to be happy, so I’ve been making plans and getting energized for the future. I am optimistic and looking forward to the rest of my life. The family has taught me a lot about what’s important, and in that sense, they continue to have an impact on me.

It’s What Luke & Ryan Would Do

John — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 02:34:38 +0000

My wife and I got some Omaha Steaks from relatives, which is a great gift for us because we need to eat and they come frozen and easy to prepare. Anyway, they came with some HUGE chunks of dry ice. What would Luke and Ryan do? They would throw them into a bowl of water and watch the fog rise off of the water. What if the chunks of dry ice were bigger than you’ve ever seen? They would still throw them in, all of them at the same time, and take pictures. So, in honor of Luke and Ryan, that’s what I did. Sorry about the lack of a picture. Poor connectivity today. I’ll add the pic tomorrow.

Sleepovers with Ryan

John — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:58:51 +0000

Above – Picture of Ryan (left) and Zack at Great America on Zack’s last birthday. Ryan died in a plane crash with his family, David, DeDe and Luke, on July 7, 2011.

This post was written by Keith and Zack Bigelow. Zack is Ryan’s age and one of Ryan’s closest friends. Keith is Zack’s dad.

Generally, sleepovers would happen on Fridays, after school. Gaby would pick up Zack and Ryan from the front of the school, where they would already be deeply ensconced in some role playing game. Ryan’s sleepover kit was a toothbrush, which Dede always seemed to keep handy.

Invariably, Ryan would be dressed in scuba-chic. Scuba-chic is a well known Santa Cruz clothing style made up of a rash guard, shorts, and shoes/socks that seem to somehow attach magnetically, going on and off with the flip of switch.

There was only one friend that Zack would ever invite over for a sleepover, Ryan. And there was only one friend where Zack would go for a sleepover, Ryan.

This fashion ensemble was important around our place, because the first game back at our house generally involved toy guns. The boys’ winter game was Nerf dart guns, beginning with pistols and by the end battery powered multi-shot rifles with the darts whistling through the air. The Nerf darts have a Velcro like substance on the tips, and they stick wonderfully to rash guards. While Zack could argue about whether or not he was hit, Ryan had the misfortune of direct evidence stuck to his shirt. In summer, the scuba-chic was even more important, because Nerf guns were exchanged for Super Soaker water guns. They would blast each other from the lawns, from the tree house, perhaps needing to be reminded that the guns did not need to come inside the house, and eventually one of them would escalate the battle to using the hose. As parents we loved this game, as it was one of the few ways we could actually get Zack clean each week. Ryan never seemed to care if he was wet or dry, he just wanted to play. When the boys looked like drowned rats, we would give them a towel and dry off. Zack would have to change clothes, but Ryan’s ensemble seemed to instantly dry and they would move indoors.

Indoors, they might play a game of Magic, a card game that defies description. In Magic, the rules seem to be shared by no two players, and it is mainly your imagination that drives the game. Perhaps you know the rules or know kids who do, but Ryan and Zack played best with their own version of the rules, which generally was pure anarchy. When Zack drew from his deck a Platinum Angel, and removed some card of Ryan’s through a complex mathematical formula, Ryan was quick to object and yell, “Prove it!”. This would leave Zack in shock, wondering how the clarity of linear algebra, geometry and calculus was not self-evident in why the mythic rare Platinum Angel would of course remove the Swamp Thing. As parents, we could watch, but we were powerless to adjudicate the situation, as we simply didn’t understand it. So, rather than enter the world of advanced mathematics, we would quickly suggest that time for Magic was over, and it was snack time.

After snacks the boys would move to their next imagination game, that generally involved tearing apart the living room furniture. They loved to remove the pillows from the couches and beds, remove all the quilts from the closet, open up the sleeper-sofa, and commence to building forts. Once fully assembled, our older son Will would often come in, wanting to enter the inner sanctum of the castle and become of a member of the tribe. This was rarely tolerated by Ryan and Zack, who saw themselves as the Two Musketeers and unwilling to allow a third to join. However, the exclusivity generally resulted in the destruction of the fort and the need to move on another diversion, dinner…

Ryan was a terrific dinner guest, he would eat anything. However, his favorite meal at our place was tacos. Ryan saw tacos as a challenge, and he had in his head that a good kid should eat a lot of tacos. Zack generally eats one or two tacos. Ryan prided himself on asking everyone at the table, pretending to have forgotten since his last visit, “Who has eaten the most tacos? How many?” When he learned the record was held by our older son Will, and that it was 5 tacos, Ryan took this as a personal challenge each time and set out to eat 5 tacos, or at least he threatened to. Everyone at the table necessarily ate however many tacos were on their plates, it was a matter of honor after all since Ryan was going to go for 5, we couldn’t just eat one and a half or leave any left-overs on the plate. Ryan was an honored member at our table, he made everyone a member of the “clean plate club!”

In the mornings, Ryan’s favorite breakfast at our place was waffles. We have an old 1950s waffle iron, and it makes 4 square waffles at a time. Zack and Ryan, somehow rejuvenated from the taco extravaganza the night before, would dream up ever more exotic ways to eat their waffles, and they never stopped at one. The pinnacle of decadence was a buttered waffle with chocolate chips in every indentation and whip cream on top. The boys would pack away as many waffles as they could, and about that time Dede would call to mention that she was in the neighborhood (she was perpetually nearby, because of all the activities the family was involved in). Luke was generally in the car with her, and always reading a book that was so good that he would wave from the car but avoid distraction.

Dede invariably offered to take Zack with Ryan back to their place, and Zack and Ryan would immediately be immersed in the wild. Pigs, turkeys, snakes, bunnies, baby chicks in the bath tub and chickens in the coop. They loved playing with the animals, and Ryan was always very generous. Ryan would offer to let Zack have an animal (Zack loved the baby bunnies best) and inform Gaby or me that it was a birthday present and that we should make room for another pet. We always found some gracious way to keep the baby bunny with its mother, but Ryan had no problem babysitting “Zack’s” bunny at their place.

Left – Another picture of Zack’s last birthday at Great America with Ryan as they show their prize winnings. Ryan loved the roller coasters, the water park, and they chance to win some crazy stuffed animal.

It’s been very quiet at our place this last month. We miss Dave, Dede, Ryan and Luke, but we always think of them with a smile.

Note from John: Thanks for sharing Zack and Keith. Ryan’s passing is an incredible loss and we really haven’t begun processing it yet. We deeply miss Ryan and the family.

I also wanted to mention that Keith was also a close friend of David’s going all the way back to Santa Cruz High. Ryan and Zack made a recent video about “Crazy Nachos” and as soon as I get a chance to edit it, I’ll post it.

Ryan Loved Babies

John — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:06:44 +0000

Ryan loved babies. He loved them so much that he when he was 2 or 3 years old, he always carried a baby doll with him everywhere he went. He called it baby. Left, Ryan in December of 2003 (at 2 1/2 years old) with his baby doll.

One time he left his baby in Babies-R-Us the grocery shopping cart and he was totally distraught We went back and looked and baby was gone, so his Nana Linda went in search at toys r us and found a baby that was almost identical. He was content if not fooled. As an uncle without a lot of toys, I was working on ways to win Ryan’s respect. I thought maybe radio controlled helicopters might be the ticket, but really he gave me props when my wife and I had our first daughter. According to him, that was the best thing that could ever happen. He kept saying, “She’s so beautiful.”

We found a video a few days ago and Ryan was holding and feeding his young loving cousin (my daughter). Above, still photo from video from the video – May of 2011. He was softly talking to her and smiling and his soft voice said, “she is so cute.” I’m glad that Ryan got to hold my daughter.